Homes & Gardens
Scottish castle on shores of Otterston Loch on sale for £2.6million
A historic Scottish castle on the shores of Otterston Loch which dates back to the 16th century has hit the market. The fairytale Couston Castle, in Aberdour, Fife, spans over more than five acres with stunning views over the loch. It has been maintained to a high standard, complete with high-end modern amenities. The five-bedroom property…
Read MoreInsh Island: One of Scotland’s last untouched private Islands hits the market
Insh Island, one of Scotland’s last untouched private islands has gone on the market – for just £500,000. The island is only accessible by private boat or helicopter, located near Easdale, the smallest inhabited island in Scotland and host of the World Stone Skimming Championship. The rare 90-acre private island offers an extraordinary opportunity to…
Read MoreGardening Column, Hamish Martin: ‘Whenever I see Red Clover growing wild I can’t help but internally rejoice’
Let me introduce you to one of my favourite wild friends, Red Clover. Whenever I see it growing wild I can’t help but internally rejoice, it’s bright red flower acting like a beacon, pulling me in. I will always pick some and bring them home to make herbal health tea. It is so interwoven with…
Read MoreEntire Scottish island Shuna with ruined castle goes on sale for £5.5million
After 80 years in the ownership of the Gully family, Shuna, in the Slate Islands, is up for sale and it could be yours for £5.5 million. The Gully family have owned, farmed and lived on Shuna since 1945. The 1,110-acre island offers holiday accommodation and boasts incredible wildlife, with a regular feeding spot for…
Read MoreStunning home with an imposing tower, walled gardens and an orchard hits the market
This stunning B-listed home with an imposing tower, overlooking beautiful walled gardens and an orchard has hit the market. Dating back to around 1800, the central feature of the house is its impressive four-storey folly tower, which rises prominently at the centre. The slightly curved wings on either side of the tower provide accommodation, with…
Read MoreGardening Column, Hamish Martin: ‘Mullein isn’t just amazing for us but it serves as a valuable resource for wildlife’
The sheer structure and standing of the truly beautiful Mullein flower means it stands head and shoulders above all the other plants – not unlike how The Eiffel tower must look surrounded by all the other buildings in Paris. It has a wide base, with large soft, velvety leaves, with a long spire growing up…
Read MoreAberdeenshire home inspired by Californian mid-century architecture crowned winner Scotland’s Home of the Year
An Aberdeenshire home inspired by Californian mid-century architecture has been crowned winner of Scotland’s Home of the Year. Hilltop House near Pitmedden, Aberdeenshire – a bright, contemporary home built on the natural footprint of the surrounding farm steading – scooped the top prize. It is home to Jessica Zanoni and husband Chris Labrooy, who live…
Read MoreFormer lighthouse with panoramic views over the Pentland Firth and out to Orkney hits the market
A remote former lighthouse with panoramic views over the Pentland Firth and out to Orkney has been put up for sale. Holborn Head Lighthouse, a renovated B-listed Stevenson lighthouse, sits near Scrabster, Caithness. Constructed in 1862, the light was permanently discontinued in 2003 and the building purchased by the current owners in 2006. The former…
Read MoreGeorgian house set within 60 acres of grounds goes on sale
An elegant Georgian house with 60 acres of grounds has gone on sale. Quarter Estate, a B-listed country house set in acres of beautiful parkland and woodland in Denny, dates back to around 1776. The property has all the charm of the Georgian period, including a pillared entrance and beautiful symmetrical windows in the front…
Read MoreDown’s Syndrome Scotland Garden wins at Chelsea Flower Show
This incredible garden inspired by a young boy from Dumfries and Galloway has won the RHS People’s Choice Award medal at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show. Scottish-based designers Duncan Hall and Nick Burton said they were ‘delighted’ to be presented with the award for the Down’s Syndrome Scotland Garden, which was inspired by Duncan’s eight-year-old…
Read More